AUGUST 2, 2000

There's no need to panic - Ferrari's Brawn

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Ross Brawn has urged Ferrari to remain calm as they search for their first world drivers' title for 21 years, despite Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard piling pressure on Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher has failed to finish in four of the last five grands prix and has seen his lead in the championship dwindle with McLaren's Hakkinen and Coulthard stepping up their challenge.

But Brawn insists the team must not panic or over-react if they are to end the 2000 season successfully.

"I think we have to make sure that no panic sets in," Brawn said. "I think it's easy when you have a few bad races to start to over-react and make changes or try to improve the car so that it is quicker. You want to compensate for the problems that you've had."

Briton Brawn, who masterminded Schumacher's two world titles in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton, is eager to taste glory again this year after narrowly missing out for the last two years with Ferrari.

"We've had three years now of taking it to the last race and not doing it - and that is getting too much," he added. "I certainly hope we get a different result this year."